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Glossary

The list below tells you what some of the words regarding Horses and Ponies mean.

Action

The way a horse or pony moves.

Aids

The signals that a rider uses to tell a horse or pony what to do. These usually include using your hands, legs, seat and voice.

Approach

The last few strides taken before a jump.

Backing

Getting on a horse or pony for the first time.

Balanced

A horse or pony is balanced when its weight and that of its rider is distributed correctly, enabling it to move easily.

Bit

The part of the bridle that goes in a horse or ponies mouth.

Blaze

A white mark down the front of a horses or ponies face.

Body Brush

A short bristled brush used for removing dirt from a horse or ponies coat.

Body Protector

A rigid waistcoat that helps to protect you if you fall off.

Bone

The measurement round the cannon bone, just below the knee.

Bounce Fence

A combination fence with no stride between the two.

Breastplate

A strap that goes around the horse or ponies neck which helps prevent the saddle from slipping.

Breeches

Riding trousers that go just below the knee, usually worn with long riding boots.

Bridoon

A snaffle bit used with a double bridle.

Browband

The part of the bridle that fits round the horse or ponies forehead and stops the headpeace from slipping.

Bucking

When a horse or pony kicks out its back legs or jumps up in the air lifting all its feet of the ground.

Cannon Bone

The bone in the leg between the knee and the fetlock.

Cantle

The back of a saddle.

Cavesson

A type of noseband.

Chaff

Chopped hay which is mixed with other feed to stop it being eaten too quickly.

Change of Rein (or Changing the Rein)

Changing the direction of travel when riding in an Arena, School or Menage.

Chaps

Leather or Suede over-trousers that are used to protect the riders leg whilst riding. They can either be full-lengh or half-chaps.

Cheeks

The vertical side parts of a curb bit.

Cheekpiece

The part of the bridle that supports the bit.

Cinch

The girth on a western saddle.

Clenches

The nails in a horse shoe that hold it in place.

Clipping

Removing a horse or ponies winter coat, to help prevent it from sweating excessively in the summer.

Colic

Abdominal pain which can be serious and requires veerinary attention.

Collection

Moving with shorter, more elevated strides.

Colt

A male horse under the age of 4 years.

Concentrates

Grains such as oats and barley.

Conformation

The overall shape and proportions of a horse or pony.

Contact

The link through the reins between a horse or ponies mouth and its riders hands.

Crest

The center of the arch at the top line of the neck.

Cross-Country

A riding course with jumps that has to be completed in a set time.

Croup

The highest point of the hindquarters.

Curb Bit

A bit with cheeks and a curb chain that acts on a horses head and chin as well as its mouth.

Curry Comb

A plastic or rubber comb that can be used on a horses coat to remove mud and loose hair.

Dandy Brush

A wooden brush with stiff bristles used for removing dry mud.

Deep Litter

Mucking out a stable where only the droppings are removed, and the old bedding is covered over with fresh.

Diagonal

A pair of your horse or ponies legs that are diagonally opposite each other.

Dishing

A horse or pony moving by throwing its front feet out to the side instead of straight ahead.

Disunited

Cantering with one leg leading in front and the opposite leg leading behind.

DIY (yard)

Do It Yourself. A livery yard where you have to muck out, turn out/in and all other associated tasks yourself.

Dock

The area under the top of a horse or ponies tail.

Double Bridle

A type of bridle with two bits.

Dressage

The advanced schooling and training of a horse.

Dropped Noseband

A noseband that fastens under the bit, prevent the horse or pony from opening its mouth.

Eel Stripe

A dark stripe seen on a horse or ponies back.

Eventing

A competition where you take part in events such as dressage or showjumping.